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📷 Javier Malta · Pexels

U-1105

3.6 — based on 12 community signals
4.1 8 species 17 contributors

U-1105 is a WWII German Type VII submarine sunk off the U.S. coast, now a technical wreck dive accessible year-round.

⭐ Best for advanced divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Advanced
WreckAdvancedOnlyHistoricalSite

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
advanced

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U-1105 location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.1 kn
Wave
m
Water
27.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (23%)
Now: NNE (19°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.7m

Next: High at 01:00 (-0.46m)

+0.2 m0 m-0.5 m
▲ 01:00 · -0.46m ▼ 02:00 · -0.48m ▲ 05:00 · -0.44m ▲ 09:00 · -0.37m Now -0.5m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV5.6 · mod Air PM2.510 · good 06:50 19:09
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 8.6 6 6mm
09-19 9.9 6 0mm
09-20 11.4 5 0mm
09-21 8.6 4 1mm
09-22 14.8 1 16mm
09-23 15.7 1 10mm
09-24 13.1 3 0mm

About this spot

U-1105 is a German Type VII C/41 submarine that sank during World War II and now rests off the United States coast. The wreck offers technical divers a historically significant site with direct access to Cold War-era military hardware. The submarine's structure remains largely intact, making it a compelling destination for wreck explorers interested in WWII naval history and engineering. The site sits outside marine protected areas, allowing dive operations to proceed without special permitting restrictions. Year-round diving conditions mean planning depends on local water and weather patterns rather than seasonal closures. Community video documentation provides useful reconnaissance for divers preparing their approach and understanding the wreck's current state. Documented marine life observations around the site total at least eight recorded species, indicating the wreck supports an active ecosystem. This combination of historical significance, wreck structure, and biological activity attracts both history-focused and technical wreck divers to the location.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Dive types

Wreck

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 5902km · ~1357kg · €24

FAQ

What's the best time to dive U-1105?

U-1105 is accessible year-round. Dive timing depends on local Atlantic weather and water conditions rather than seasonal restrictions. Check regional water temperature and visibility forecasts before planning your trip.

What's the difficulty and depth of this wreck?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not publicly documented for U-1105. Given its status as a WWII submarine wreck, assume it requires technical training and experience with wreck navigation. Contact local dive operators familiar with the site for current conditions.

What marine life is around U-1105?

Eight marine species have been documented at the wreck site. Like most submerged structures, U-1105 has become a reef, attracting fish and invertebrates. Local dive operators can brief you on current life activity.

Do I need permits to dive U-1105?

U-1105 is not located within a marine protected area, so standard dive operator licensing applies. Verify any local regulations with U.S. maritime authorities and your dive operator before your dive.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

102 records · 30 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Macrocallista acuminata

Bivalvia · Veneridae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Jul 2107
×1records

Philomycus carolinianus

Gastropoda · Philomycidae
GBIF
Last seen:
9 Jan 2026
×1records

Tursiops truncatus

Common bottlenose dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Jul 2016
×1records

Molgula

sea squirts (Molgula spp.)
Ascidiacea · Molgulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Nov 2013
×1records
Depth:
35 m

Clathria (Clathria) prolifera

redbeard sponge
Demospongiae · Microcionidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Jun 2013
×1records
Depth:
27 m

Leucoraja erinaceus

Elasmobranchii · Rajidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 May 2013
×1records
Depth:
42 m

Doryteuthis pealeii

Cephalopoda · Loliginidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 May 2013
×1records
Depth:
42 m

Ascidiacea

sessile tunicates
Ascidiacea
OBIS
Last seen:
16 Nov 2012
×1records
Depth:
26 m

Callinectes sapidus

blue crab, male
Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Nov 2012
×7records
Depth:
17–41 m

Libinia emarginata

common spider crab
Malacostraca · Epialtidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Nov 2012
×1records
Depth:
30 m

Clathria (Clathria) prolifera

redbeard sponge
Demospongiae · Microcionidae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Sept 2012
×1records
Depth:
17 m

Callinectes sapidus

blue crab, male
Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Sept 2011
×1records
Depth:
19 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

U-1105 Black Panther | Potomac River, MD

Slick&Savvy
💬 1 top comments
  • Visibility looks terrible down there

    @blackcameraphoto · 👍 0

Tec Dive on U-1105

DC Scuba, diving in Spain

U1105 Piney Point Md, Sept 2010

Tom Edwards
💬 2 top comments
  • Great video! The lighting is marvelous--must be using the new high-intensity LEDs. Brings out the details of das boot and the sea life that now lives on it come to life. How ironic that one of our most important successful kills was by complete accident--weapons testing in the river. Wow! My mom lived in D.C. at the time--I still get goosebumps when I think how close that u-boat came to destroying

    @LauraAndRiver · 👍 1
  • there are sharks in the water

    @ruralharlessw12 · 👍 1

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